New Palestine falls to Connersville

NEW PALESTINE — The New Palestine boys basketball team took an early second-quarter lead but succumbed to a pair of Connersville runs in the middle quarters Monday in a 65-56 loss to the visiting Spartans.

Senior Gavin Hausz scored 22 points — a season high — to lead the Dragons, who fell to 11-8 on the season. Connersville, a potential sectional opponent for the Dragons, improved to 17-4.

After falling behind early, New Palestine finished the first quarter with a 3-point shooting barrage led by Hausz. He hit three 3-pointers, followed by triples from Maxen Hook and Dawson Eastes, to cut an early seven-point Connersville lead to two, 20-18, at the break.

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New Palestine Athletic Director Al Cooper(r) talks with IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox(l) and IHSAA Assistant Commissioner Paul Neidig(m) before the start of the game between New Palestine and Connersville on February 12,2018.

New Palestine Jack Walker(33) screams as he puts up a shot over Connersville Garrett Silcott(12) and Wes Smith(32) during their game on February 12,2018.

New Palestine Gavin Hausz(44) puts up a three point shot over the out stretched arm of Connersville Clay Garrison(10) during their game on February 12,2018.

New Palestine Kyle King(52) grabs a rebound before Connersville Jacob Brown(50) can get a hand on it during their game on February 12,2018.

New Palestine Gavin Hausz(44) puts up a layup in front of Connersville Jacob Brown(50) during their game on February 12,2018.

New Palestine head coach Trent Whitaker talks to a referee to get an explanation of a foul that was call during their game against Connersville on February 12,2018.

New Palestine Dawson Eastes(41) goes up with the ball between Connersville Noah Belt(30) and Drew Sherck(44) during their game on February 12,2018.

New Palstine Kyle King(52) blocks out one Connersville defender so Dawson Eastes(41) can put up a shot before Connersville Dalton Lee(22) can block the shot in their game on February 12,2018.

The New Palestine Varsity Cheerleaders do a little cheer to get the crowd going during a 30 second time out in the game against Connersville on February 12,2018.

New Palestine Matthew True(14) is fouled as he tries to put up a lay up surrounded by 3 Connersville defenders during their game on February 12,2018.

New Palestine Gavin Hausz(44) looses control of the ball as he comes down on the back of a Connersville defender after grabbing a rebound late in their game on February 12,2018.

New Palestine Gavin Hausz(44) looses control of the ball as he comes down on the back of a Connersville defender after grabbing a rebound late in their game on February 12,2018.

New Palestine junior Sarah Greene uses one of the cheerleaders megaphones to cheer during their game against Connersville on February 12,2018.

New Palestine Maxen Hook(20) shoots a wide open three point shot during their game against Connersville on February 12,2018.

New Palestine head coach Trent Whitaker draws up a play during a time out late in their game against Connersville on February 12,2018.

New Palestine then opened the second quarter on a 10-0 run, with Eastes scoring five points, Jack Walker scoring a basket and Matthew True hitting a 3-pointer.

The run gave the Dragons a 28-20 edge against the Spartans, but Connersville responded with nine straight points led by Clay Garrison’s four off the bench. The teams went into halftime tied at 29.

Connersville’s decisive run came in the third quarter. With the teams tied at 33-all, the Spartans outscored New Palestine 11-3 over the final stretch of the quarter, with Wes Smith scoring twice inside and Jacob Brown’s tip-in at the buzzer giving the Spartans a 44-36 edge.

Connersville pushed the lead as high as 14, at 60-46, before New Palestine’s defense led a late run. Hook had three straight steals late to help draw the Dragons closer. Hausz scored eight fourth-quarter points and Dylan Romine seven.